Walmart Joins Fight Against Opioid Abuse With Free Disposal Kits

Walmart hopes to combat the USA opioid epidemic by offering a free disposal system to help consumers safely dispose of leftover medicine.

DisposeRx is a small packet that contains ingredients that, when emptied into a pill bottle with warm water, enables patients to destroy their leftover meds.

"That's why we're taking an active role in fighting our nation's opioid issue, an issue that has affected so many families and communities across America", Hays said.

Customers filling a newclass II opioid prescription at any of Wal-Mart's 4,700 United States pharmacies will now receive a packet of DisposeRx, a powder that - when mixed into a pill bottle with warm water - creates a safe, biodegradable gel, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued Wednesday morning, the company is now offering DisposeRX, a waste disposal solution, for free at Walmart pharmacies and Sam's Club pharmacies nationwide. Ongoing counseling will also be made available to Walmart patients on proper opioid use and how to use DisposeRx. More than two out of three people misusing prescription opioids get them from family and friends, according to federal data.

Most recently, CVS joined the fight against opioid abuse by expanding its prescription drug disposal program to 750 of its pharmacies across the country.

Patients with chronic Class II opioid prescriptions will be offered a free packet every six months and existing customers can request a free packet at any time.

In the Walmart release, Sen.

Senator John Boozman of Arkansas reveals how "about one-third of medications sold go unused. Too often, these risky narcotics remain unsecured where children, teens or visitors may have access", Arkansas Senator John Boozman said in a statement.

The move by Walmart is the latest precaution being taken to cut down on opioid abuse. The company supports legislation imposing a seven-day supply limit for initial prescriptions for acute pain and the requirement that all controlled-substance prescriptions be issued electronically, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration.